Pem fuel cell powersystems with efficient hydrogen generation

Abstract

Methods and devices for generating power using PEM fuel cell power systems comprising a rotary bed reactor for hydrogen generation are disclosed. Hydrogen is generated by the hydrolysis of fuels such as lithium aluminum hydride and mixtures thereof. Water required for hydrolysis may be captured from the fuel cell exhaust. Water is preferably fed to the reactor in the form of a mist generated by an atomizer. An exemplary 750 We-h, 400 We PEM fuel cell power system may be characterized by a specific energy of about 550 We-h/kg and a specific power of about 290 We/kg.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method of producing power using a fuel cell power system, the method comprising:
 providing a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells, each cell having an anode side and a cathode side that enables operation of the cathode side at substantially ambient pressure;   routing hydrogen from a hydrogen generator to the anode side of the fuel cell stack, wherein the hydrogen is in excess of that required by the fuel cell stack for producing power and a recirculating hydrogen stream;   providing a blower positioned to receive the recirculating hydrogen after the anode side of the fuel cell stack and blow the recirculating hydrogen stream;   enriching the recirculating hydrogen stream received from the blower with water; and   routing the water-enriched recirculation hydrogen stream to the hydrogen generator.